This highly-disciplined line infantry regiment excels at weapons drill and accuracy.

As part of the Archduke’s military reforms, these troops are trained in the latest military style in a bid to copy the success of Napoleon’s Grande Armée. This training improves accuracy, reloading and close combat skills. There is also a morale effect: the men are filled with a renewed confidence that makes them unlikely to rout. However, as with most line infantry, they have little defence against units such as artillery or skirmishing snipers and will be at a disadvantage against elite infantry.

In 1806, Austria was still reeling from her defeat by France at Austerlitz. Austrian conservatism and tradition had resulted in an outdated and outmatched army, and its defeat by the French forced them to accept the harsh terms of the Treaty of Pressburg. Archduke Charles, a highly respected field-marshal, recognised that the Austrian army needed modernising and introduced a number of military reforms. These improvements were tested during the Peninsular War period when the Austrians formed the Fifth Coalition against France. It was during this coalition that the Legion took part in the Battle of Aspern-Essling, Napoleon’s first defeat in over ten years.